Multiple devices multimedia control

Background

Mobile devices and networking technologies have transformed many important aspects of everyday life. Mobile devices, such as smart phones, cell phones, and the like, have become a daily necessity rather than a luxury, communication tool, and/or entertainment center, and can now provide individuals with tools to manage and perform work functions such as reading and/or writing emails, setting up calendaring events such as meetings, providing games and entertainment aspects, and/or store records and images in a permanent and reliable medium. Networking technologies, like the Internet and/or wireless cellular telephone technologies, have provided users with virtually unlimited access to remote systems, information and associated applications.

Nevertheless, despite such advances in both mobile device technologies and ancillary network capabilities, the current problem facing users is the inability to use different devices with different communication capabilities to meet all their communication needs. In particular, current mobile device technologies and associated network capabilities do not address aspects related to the initiation, transfer, manipulation, or maintenance of streaming multimedia between multiple devices. Accordingly, the subject matter as claimed is directed toward resolving or at the very least mitigating, one or all of the foregoing problems.

Summary

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Users of communication services can typically utilize different devices with different communication capabilities to meet their communication needs. For instance, users can wish to initiate, transfer, manipulate, or otherwise maintain the simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia components (e.g. video, speech, audio) between multiple devices for a variety of reasons. For example, users can wish to control the coordinated delivery of simultaneous multimedia streams to multiple devices owned by the same user (e.g., to take advantage of the different video and audio capabilities of the different devices such as, high definition television, surround sound stereo, home speaker phone, and the like), or to control shared multimedia content in real time across multiple devices owned by others (e.g., who may be in different geographical locations). To meet the service requirements of at least the foregoing scenarios, the claimed subject matter can enable one or more users to control multimedia streams across multiple devices from one (e.g., a user's mobile device) or more devices interoperating with one or more access networks interworking with one or more core networks. Synchronization, content, and distribution functions necessary to effectuate the foregoing can be provided by disparate or the same core network and/or end user devices.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed and claimed subject matter are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a machine-implemented system that provides multimedia control over multiple disparate and/or distinct devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a machine-implemented system that facilities and/or effectuates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia between multiple devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a machine-implemented system that enables users to initiate, transfer, manipulate, or otherwise maintain the simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia between multiple devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed matter.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further machine-implemented system that actuates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia between a plurality of diverse devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 5 illustrates another machine-implemented system that effectuates and/or facilitates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia between various diverse devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system implemented on a machine that facilitates and/or actuates the transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a variety of disparate devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another system implemented on a machine that effectuates the manipulation, transfer, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a plethora of disparate and geographically dispersed devices in accordance with one or more aspects of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 8 illustrates a machine implemented system that facilitates and/or effectuates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a wide disparity of devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed matter.

FIG. 9 illustrates a machine implemented system that effectuates initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a disparity of devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed matter.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another illustrative machine implemented system that initiates, transfers, manipulates, and/or allows for the maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a diversity of devices in accordance with aspects of the claimed matter.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system implemented on a machine that allows for the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between diverse devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed matter.

FIG. 12 illustrates a system that initiates, transfers, manipulates, and/or allows for the maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a disparity of devices in accordance with one or more aspects of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system that provides for the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of content between diverse devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed matter.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further system implemented on a machine that initiates, transfers, manipulates, and/or allows for the maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between various disparate devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 15 illustrates a system implemented on a machine that provides for the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of content between diverse devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed matter.

FIG. 16 illustrates a machine implemented system that provides for the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of content between diverse devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed matter.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flow diagram of a machine implemented methodology that facilitates and/or effectuates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a wide disparity of devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed matter.

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable to execute the disclosed system in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter.

Detailed description

The subject matter as claimed is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

Users of communication services are increasingly attempting to use different devices with different communication capabilities to meet their communication needs. Users can wish to initiate, transfer, manipulate, or otherwise maintain the simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia components (e.g., video, speech, audio) between multiple devices for a variety of reasons. For example, users can wish to control the coordinated delivery of simultaneous multimedia streams to multiple devices owned by the same user (e.g., to take advantage of the different video and audio capabilities of the different devices (e.g., high definition television, surround sound stereo, home speaker phone), additionally and/or alternatively users, users can wish to share multimedia content in real time across multiple devices owned by others (e.g., who may be in different or disparate geographic locations). In accordance with aspects set forth herein, and in order to achieve the foregoing, the claimed subject matter can effectuate and/or facilitate multimedia control by one or more devices, interoperating with one or more access networks, and/or interworking with one or more core networks. Moreover, functionalities and/or facilities necessary to accomplish such multimedia control, for example, synchronization, signal relaying, content, and/or distribution, can be supplied by different components or sub-components within the same or separate core networks or end user devices. Furthermore as will be appreciated by those moderately conversant in this field of endeavor, user devices can consist of a wide array of wireless and/or wired devices with varying capability, including, for instance, cell phones, smart phones, laptop computers, Tablet PCs, multimedia Internet enabled phones, televisions, media servers, wired phones, digital video recorders (DVRs), and the like.

Turning now to FIG. 1 that provides a basic overview of the claimed subject matter and illustrates the need for, service requirements, and underlying concepts of the claimed subject matter. FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 that provides multimedia control over multiple disparate and/or distinct devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter. It should be noted without limitation or loss of generality that the disparate and/or distinct devices can include both geographically dispersed devices (e.g., a different country, state, city, location in a city, etc.) as well as devices that are situated in close proximity (e.g., in the next room, contiguous with one another, and the like). In furtherance of this illustration and to put the claimed matter in context consider the following example that for the most part informs the claimed subject matter, where Jane is browsing the Internet on her cell phone 104, which supports multimedia (e.g., video, speech, audio, . . . ). During the course of her browsing Jane finds her cousin's latest video on the Internet (e.g., a video sharing website where users can upload, view, and share video clips, and the like). Understandably, Jane is excited about the video, and wants to share it with the other members of her family, and talk to them about it. In order to facilitate the foregoing, Jane uses her cell phone 104 to call her father on his mobile device 106. Her father is also excited about the video and gathers the family members together in the living room of their home and transfers the speech from his mobile device 106 to the speaker phone 108 located in the family room so that the entire family can hear about the video and talk about it and share in this experience. To accomplish this Jane using her cell phone 104 sets up a video stream from the Internet video sharing website where her cousin's latest video clip has been uploaded to an application server 102 which then simultaneously streams the video clip to both Jane's cell phone 104 as well as the family's high definition television (HDTV) 110.

When everyone is ready, Jane through her cell phone 104 and in concert with facilities and functionalities associated with application server 102 starts the video playing both on Jane's cell phone 104 as well as on the family's high definition television (HDTV) 110. As the video plays Jane can provide insightful comments about the different parts of the video through her cell phone 104 (e.g., using the sound system associated with high definition television (HDTV) 110 and/or through the speaker phone 108), and further she can occasionally pause the video to provide comments. Moreover, when Jane's father has questions or wants to pause the video to say something, he too can pause the video using the control capabilities provided by his mobile device 106.

It should be noted in regard to the foregoing scenario, without limitation or loss of generality, that multimedia and/or the streaming of multimedia can be controlled exclusively by a single device (e.g., Jane's cell phone 104 at the beginning), control can then be transferred between users and/or devices as necessary and/or as required, control can also be shared between multiple devices and/or users (e.g., Jane's cell phone 104 and her father's mobile device 106), and devices (e.g., high definition television (HDTV) 110, speaker phone 108, etc.) can be dynamically added or removed to share content as the need dictates.

From the foregoing synoptic overview, those of moderate skill in the art will appreciate that the claimed subject matter provides systems and methods that enable users to initiate, transfer, manipulate, or otherwise maintain the simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia (e.g., video, speech, and/or audio) between multiple devices. Additionally, the claimed matter enables the coordinated delivery of simultaneous multimedia streams to multiple devices owned by the same or different users, facilitates one or more users to control multimedia streams across multiple devices from one or more devices interoperating with one or more access networks interworking with one or more core networks and allowing for separate session and media control signaling, and further enables key functions (e.g., command provision, signaling synchronization, signaling relay, content provision, and content distribution) to be flexibly supplied in a variety of configurations by different or the same core network or end user devices.

In order to actuate the foregoing functionalities and/or facilities, the claimed matter can utilize a set of components that can be flexibly interworked to provide the necessary functionality in a variety of communication configurations. This set of components can provide a core network entity, such as an application server 102 or a similar entity to establish, synchronize, and/or otherwise maintain media streams between multiple disparate devices (e.g., Jane's cell phone 104, her father's mobile device 106, the family's speaker phone 108, and/or the family's high definition television (HDTV) 110, etc.).

In order to establish, synchronize, and/or maintain media streams between multiple devices, the claimed subject matter can employ control signaling wherein a signal can be transmitted from one or more user devices, through one or more access networks, and through one or more core networks, to the core network entity (e.g., application server 102) providing the synchronization functionality. Thus, the network entity that provides synchronization functionality, such as an application server 102 that utilizes session initiation protocol (SIP), can be interposed in the control path for manipulation of the media stream(s). It should be noted in this context, without limitation or loss of generality, that separate control signaling can be used for the session and media components of the claimed subject matter.

In addition, to achieve the necessary synchronization, a synchronization functionality that interfaces with a content distribution aspect can be utilized. The synchronization functionality can ensure that the same sequential place in the stream is provided at the same time to each of the end user devices (e.g., Jane's cell phone 104, Jane's father's mobile device 106, the family speaker phone 108, and the family high definition television (HDTV) 110) so that the users of these devices can share the same or, at the very least, a substantially similar user experience with respect to the provision of the media. Further the content distribution aspect can provide data replication and streaming functionality. The content distribution aspect can be co-located in the same application server 102 as the synchronization functionality, or it can be provided by a separate server. Where the content distribution functionality is provided by a separate server, industry standard protocols, such as, for example, session initiation protocol (SIP), can be employed to exchange control signaling between the synchronization and content distribution aspects where these are situated on separate servers.

Moreover, in regard to the content distribution functionalities set forth and utilized herein by the claimed subject matter, the content distribution aspect can obtain multimedia content for distribution (or re-distribution) from the same application server (e.g., application server 102) that supplies the synchronization capability. Additionally and/or alternatively, multimedia content can be received, retrieved, and/or solicited from other disparate sources (e.g., servers, databases, or other devices). As those of ordinary skill in the art will comprehend without limitation or loss of generality, where content is supplied, obtained, elicited, and/or received from separate servers (or services), industry standard protocols (e.g., session initiation protocol (SIP)) can be utilized to exchange signaling and data transmission between the content distribution aspects and the content source aspects. Moreover, as will also be understood by those moderately conversant in this field of endeavor, multimedia streams can be established between a single device or multiple disparate devices and the distribution facility based at least in part on the control information supplied by the control signaling aspect elucidated above.

The foregoing components and/or aspects, the distribution of the facilities and/or functionalities between the components and/or aspects, the processing that can take place in the components and/or aspects, and the control signaling and data transmission between the components can be provided in a variety of component configurations. As will no doubt be understood by persons of reasonable skill in the art, each of these disparate component configurations can impose different interfacing requirements between the components and/or aspects.

It should be noted in connection with the following illustrative configurations that in order to avoid undue complexity, in the following configurations only the key components are illustrated. Common communication network interconnecting entities such as session border controllers, media gateways, and the like, are not depicted.

Functions and facilities that are illustrated can include content components that can provide the source of the multimedia content that is shared by the users and distribution components that can replicate and transmit the content to the users. Additional facilities and functionalities can include control components that can provide the command structure necessary to control a multimedia session setup and/or the source of commands that control multimedia content (e.g., play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, add a user, drop a user, etc.), synchronization aspects that can provide for the collection of commands from users, replication and transmission of commands to users, arbitration of conflicting commands from different users, and the like, and relay capabilities that can be utilized to pass commands from one source to another destination (which may or may not be known to the original source).

It should be noted without limitation or loss of generality that in the configurations portrayed as follows, control can be provided by one or more devices, interoperating with one or more access networks, and interworking with one or more core networks. Moreover, signaling and data transmission between components can be accomplished by one or more industry common signaling and data transmission protocol (e.g., session initiation protocol (SIP), real time streaming protocol (RTSP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), extensible markup language (XML), etc.) and synchronization, signal relaying, content, and distribution functions can be performed by different entities, such as application servers or content servers, or other entities within the same or distinct but separate core networks or end user devices. The end user devices contemplated to be utilized in conjunction with the claimed subject matter can include a wide variety of wireless and/or wireline devices with varying capability, including for example, cell phones, smart phones, laptop computers, Tablet PCs, desktop computers, consumer and/or industrial devices and/or appliances and/or instrumentation, hand held devices, personal digital assistants, multimedia Internet enabled phones, multimedia players, wired telephones, televisions, digital video recorders (DVRs), personal video recorders (PVRs), media servers, and the like.

FIG. 2 provides illustration of a system 200 that facilities and/or effectuates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia (e.g., video, speech, and audio) between multiple devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter. In this depiction to continue the usage example presented above, Jane shares video with her family wherein she controls from her device the initiation of the streaming of the multimedia content.

As illustrated system 200 can include application server 102 situated in a core network that can be employed to initiate, transfer, manipulate, and/or maintain the simultaneous streaming of multimedia content in real time between a multitude of disparate user devices. Application server 102, via one or more access networks 210, can be in continuous and/or operative or sporadic and/or intermittent communication with a multitude of user devices such as wireless and wireline devices with varying capability, including for instance, cell phones, wired phones, personal computers, personal digital assistants, televisions, digital video recorders (DVRs), media servers, and the like. Application server 102 can be implemented entirely in hardware and/or a combination of hardware and/or software in execution. Further, application server 102 can be incorporated within and/or associated with other compatible components. Additionally, application server 102 can be, but is not limited to, any type of machine that includes a processor and/or is capable of effective communication with access networks 210. Illustrative machines that can comprise application server 102 can include desktop computers, server class computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, laptop computers, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, consumer and/or industrial devices and/or appliances, hand-held devices, personal digital assistants, multimedia Internet mobile phones, multimedia players, and the like.

As depicted application server 102 can include synchronization component 202 that can interface with a distribution component 206 to provide the functionality and/or facilities necessary to ensure that the same sequential place in a media stream is provided at the same instant in time to each of the user devices so that the users of each of the user devices can share the same or a substantially similar user experience with respect to the provision of media supplied by content component 204.

The component configuration provided in FIG. 2 can be considered as a basic functional distribution that minimizes the number of separate components and thereby the signaling and/or data transmission complexity. As illustrated, a control signal can be provided from a control aspect 208 situated in a single user device (e.g., Jane's cell phone 104). The control signal can be transmitted through one or more access networks 210 to application server 102 situated in a core network. The control signaling initiated by control aspect 208 can instigate synchronization component 202 to interface with distribution component 206 to ensure that the same sequential place in the media stream is provided at the same time to each and all of the participating end user devices. Based at least in part on input from synchronization component 202, distribution component 206 can access content component 204 in order to obtain multimedia content that distribution component 206 can replicate and stream to the various participating user devices.

FIG. 3 depicts a system 300 that enables users to initiate, transfer, manipulate, or otherwise maintain the simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia between multiple devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed matter. To continue the ongoing illustrations regarding Jane and her family, in this usage case either Jane or her father through their respective devices can pause the shared multimedia stream in order to provide commentary. It is to be appreciated that either Jane or her father can resume the video when they are ready to do so. Because much of the configuration and operation of application server 102 and its associated components (e.g., synchronization component 202, content component 204, and distribution component 206) is substantially similar to those described earlier, a detailed description of such features, unless where necessary, has been omitted to avoid needless repetition and for the sake of brevity and conciseness.

As depicted, the control functionality (e.g., control 208 and control 302) has been distributed across multiple devices (e.g., Jane's cell phone 104 and her father's mobile device 106). This enables multiple users to simultaneously control the streaming media emanating from the core network. In this instance, synchronization component 202 can arbitrate between conflicting control signaling emanating from control 208 and/or control 302. Such arbitration can include consideration of user control priority, timing of received signals, etc. Nevertheless, it should be noted without limitation or loss of generality that in all configurations, a mix of controlling and non-controlling devices is possible. User devices without control capabilities can include those that are not capable of this function, for example a wireline plain old telephone (POT) used as a speakerphone (e.g., speakerphone 108).

FIG. 4 illustrates a system 400 that actuates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia between a plurality of diverse devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter. In furtherance of the continuing example, in this instance Jane initiates a video sharing session with her family members using the control functionality 208 associated with her cell phone. Once the video sharing session has commenced Jane passes exclusive control to her father who controls the session through the facilities provided by control 302 associated with his mobile device.

As previously noted, for all configurations, control can be provided from only one device, or from multiple devices. FIG. 4 provides illustration of the circumstance when control is being provided by a single device even though the control functionality can exist in multiple devices. Exclusive control can be limited to one of the devices despite the fact that the control functionality resides on multiple devices. Moreover, control capabilities associated with user devices can be passed from one device to another. Accordingly, other devices besides the instigating and controlling user device can have a control function that albeit is temporarily inactive (e.g., does not signal to synchronization component 202; or if control signals are supplied to synchronization component 202 such signaling is ignored or discarded by synchronization component 202).

FIG. 5 depicts a system 500 that effectuates and/or facilitates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia between various diverse devices in accordance with an aspect of the claimed subject matter. The usage case depicted in FIG. 5 envisions a service provider that has several different content servers 502 and distribution servers 506 dispersed throughout a core network. Under this scenario application server 102 can be an interworked application specific service where the synchronization component 202, content component 504, and distribution component 508 are being provided from a common core network but each of these components is situated on disparate servers (e.g., application server 102, content server 502, and distribution server 506, respectively). As will be appreciated by those or moderate skill in the art, dispersion of these functionalities over disparate servers in the core network can introduce additional signaling and/or data transmission interfacing requirements. For example, in addition to control signaling emanating from control 208 and control 302 associated with disparate and/or geographically dispersed user devices, control signaling needs to also be provided from application server 102 to both content server 502 and distribution server 506.

FIG. 6 provides exemplification of a system 600 that facilitates and/or actuates the transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a variety of disparate devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed subject matter. The usage case illustrated in FIG. 6 pertains to optimizing signaling. To optimize signaling, a service provider typically should enable distributed (e.g., separate) session and media synchronization functionality with signaling from the user device for each. Accordingly, in this scenario session control (e.g., SIP) can be provided between user devices (e.g., control 208 and/or control 302) and application server 102, and media control (e.g., real time streaming protocol (RTSP) for play/forward/rewind, etc.) can run directly between user devices and distribution server 506. Accordingly, two synchronization components can be utilized, one situated on application server 102 (e.g., synchronization component 202) for synchronization and arbitration of session signaling and the other located on distribution server 506 for synchronization and arbitration of media control commands. The session control synchronization component 202 thus can coordinate with the media control synchronization component 602 for setup and tear down of media for a particular session or when adding/removing sessions. It should be noted that the foregoing signaling methodology can be applicable to other component configurations where the distribution functionality provided by distribution server 506, and more particularly distribution component 508, is provided separately from the synchronization functionality provided by synchronization component 202.

FIG. 7 depicts a system 700 that effectuates the manipulation, transfer, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a plethora of disparate and geographically dispersed devices in accordance with one or more aspects of the claimed subject matter. The usage case provided by FIG. 7 illustrates the situation where a service provider already has several different content servers. Multiple device multimedia control capability is introduced by adding an interworked application specific server 102 to the existing infrastructure. It has been observed that the core network signaling and data transmission complexity resulting from providing separate servers for each of the functions provided in the core network can be circumvented and/or mitigated by combining some functions in a common server. Accordingly, as depicted system 700 combines synchronization and distribution components on a common application server 102 while obtaining or soliciting content from (one or more) separate content server(s) such as content server 502, and more particularly, retrieving or eliciting content from content component 702 that can be associated with content server 502.

FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 that facilitates and/or effectuates the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a wide disparity of devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed matter. The usage case in this instance relates to A service provider that already has a content server 502 that also provides distribution through a distribution component 502. Multiple device multimedia control capability is introduced by adding an interworked application specific server 102 to the existing infrastructure. It should be noted that this configuration illustrates combining content and distribution functions represented by content component 702 and distribution component 802 in a common content server 502 while providing the synchronization functionality from a synchronization component 202 situated on the interworked but separate or distinct application specific server 102.

FIG. 9 illustrates a system 900 that effectuates initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a disparity of devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed matter. As a continuation of the ongoing illustration in connection with Jane and her family, Jane's friend, Mary, now wishes to share a video that has been persisted on Mary's cell phone with the others. As depicted in system 900 this configuration allows for the provisioning of content (e.g., content 902) from any viable device, independent of the control function. Although system 900 illustrates content 902 being supplied from a user device without control per se, the content providing user device could nevertheless also include a control aspect.

FIG. 10 depicts a system 1000 that initiates, transfers, manipulates, and/or allows for the maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a diversity of devices in accordance with aspects of the claimed matter. As a further continuation of the ongoing illustration regarding Jane, Jane in this scenario is sharing content from her mother's digital video recorder (DVR). Here by providing content 1002 from user device 1004 (e.g., Jane's mother's DVR), user device 1004 can fulfill the role of both the content provider as well as the content server. In accordance with this aspect however, user device 1004 does not provide a control function, and multimedia is not consumed by a user directly on the device. As such, content is not streamed back to the device providing the content (e.g., user device 1004), but rather control signaling is supplied to content providing device 1004.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system 1100 that allows for the initiation, transfer, manipulation, and/or maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between diverse devices in accordance with various aspects of the claimed matter. In this instance, Jane is sharing content from her cell phone 1102 and control is shared between Jane and her father. The content on her cell phone 1102 is locally persisted and/or provided (e.g., thereby avoiding lag problems she could otherwise experience). Here it should be noted that where a user has local control of shared content on their device (e.g., 1102), then the shared control from other devices must be provided to the content providing device as well. Thus in addition to the control aspect 208 previously described, user device 1102 can also include synchronization facilities 1108 and the content 1110 being shared amongst the other user devices. Moreover, in order to facilitate and/or effectuate the foregoing a relay component 1106 can be situated or associated with application server 102. Relay component 1106 can pass commands from one source (e.g., user device 1102, control 302, and/or control 1104) to another destination which may or may not be known to the original source.

FIG. 12 provides depiction of a system 1200 that initiates, transfers, manipulates, and/or allows for the maintenance of simultaneous real time streaming of multimedia content between a disparity of devices in accordance with one or more aspects of the claimed subject matter. Once again as a continuation of the ongoing illustration with regard to Jane, in this scenario Jane is sharing content from a digital video recorder (DVR) situated in her home. Thus, she can use her cell phone (e.g., user device 1102) to directly control the digital video recorder (DVR) (e.g., user device 1204) using a Bluetooth radio interface, for example, and thereafter Jane can share control with her friends and family. The configuration provided in FIG. 12 illustrates the fact that if content is provided from a directly controlled device that does not have a core network control signaling relationship (e.g., user device 1204), then shared control must be established through a synchronization function (e.g., synchronization aspect 1108) associated with the device (user device 1102) with the content control relationship (e.g., between user device 1102 and user device 1204 where user device 1102 provides direct control signaling to user device 1204).

The description continues in the full USPTO document.